Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 187

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ball was

keepers, and that was sent away about two months ago in a passage boat for Nam O and every cut up into 30 parts and then two or three parts were put in a bag containing picul of rice or paddy.

The principal way that opium is smuggled through the pass are by small boats about 25 to 80 piculs in capacity, they principally belong to a place called P'inghoi.

The boats are engaged by people in Victoria, especially by farmers who come to Hongkong with cattle, pigs, ducks, fowls, &c., and buy nothing else but opium which is put on board of the small boats which leave the harbour at any time during the day or night, seldom complying with the Harbour and Coast Ordinances, the course they steer is towards the channel rocks and wait there till a favourable opportunity, and then they cross over towards this harbour and get in under one land and keep so until they pass Cape D'Aguilar, if chase is given them, they run for the shore where they land the opium which is then returned to the owners, who principally reside in the Cattle or Pig lans as was shown in the last case reported here, namely, the Cape Collinson lighthouse case.

W. M. DEANE, Esquire.

SIR,

I have, &c.,

(Signed)

J. SWANSTON,

Inspector.

Reports by Inspector Swanston from Stanley, on Seizure and Search in British waters by

Customs Cruiser.

STANLEY POLICE STATION,

25th February, 1883.

I have the honour to forward you the following report:-

At 7 A.M.,

this morning I boarded the Kam Sing Li trading junk, 300 piculs capacity, 4 of a crew, with no armament on board, lying at anchor in Stanley harbour, when the master KONG YUK IN made the following report:-

He states that he left Shamshuipò on the 23rd instant at 7 P.M., with 100 piculs of coal dust and 10 balls of opium, &c., on board, bound for Makong, about midnight he anchored outside Aberdeen, and at 11 A.M., next day he left for Stanley, and when near the shore at Wongmakòk about 5 P.M., a white painted steam launch which he can identify came alongside, 7 or 8 men then came on board and beat him and the other 3 men with bamboos, &c., and then took away the 10 balls of opium (Patna and Malwa) value $44.50, also 200 cash, 5 pieces sugar cane, total value $45, they also made him sign a paper to the effect that his junk was sailing at the Lama Island and that he was smuggling, and stating the number of balls of opium they took away, they then left and went in the direction of Potoi, while they came into the Stanley harbour.

The Master states that he did not anchor at any place in Victoria except Shamshuipò, and that he did not take out any papers from the Harbour Offices.

The Master and one of the crew have been severely beaten, and cannot walk, and the Master say he will be compelled to remain here until he gets well.

A white painted launch was seen passing Stanley about 5 P.M., yesterday going in the direction of Wongmakok.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

J. SWANSTON,

Inspector.

W. M. DEANE, Esquire,

Captain Superintendent of Police.

&o..

$6.

&c.